New Globe Theatre History

Interesting information about the New Globe Theatre Historyand its reconstruction in London, England

New Globe Theatre HistoryThe New Globe Theatre was inaugurated in London in 1997, nearly 350 years after the original Globe Theatre of William Shakespeare was destroyed by the Puritans. It took the drive and vision of an American actor and director, Sam Wanamaker to initiate the campaign to reconstruct a new Globe Theatre on the site of the original.

New Globe Theatre HistoryThe story started in 1949 when Sam Wanamaker visited the site of the original Globe Theatre in London. He was horrified to find that this great theatre was only remembered by an insignificant plaque on the wall of a brewery which stood on the site of the famous Elizabethan theatre. Sam made his home in England, revelling in many Shakespearean roles. His idea to reconstruct a New Globe Theatre took years to bring to life. Although people liked the idea there was a problem in obtaining the necessary finance to complete such a project. The New Globe History made a major leap when in 1969 Sam Wanamaker started actively campaigning to reconstruct a replica of the original Globe theatre as used by William Shakespeare. Sadly Sam died in 1993 so he died not see the inaugeration of the New Globe Theatre. The events that lead to the inaugeration are detailed in a timeline of the New Globe Theatre History

Interesting Facts and Information about New Globe Theatre History via a TimelineThe New Globe Theatre History Timeline

The New London Globe Theatre History Timeline

1949

Sam Wanamaker visits the site and the remains of the old Globe Theatre. All he finds is a plaque on the wall of a brewery commemorating the famous old theatre

1969

Sam Wanamaker starts campaigning to build a New Globe theatre replica

1970

Sam Wanamaker establishes the "Globe Playhouse Trust" an educational charity, in order to raise funds for the building of a replica theatre. HRH Prince Philip agrees to become Patron of the Shakespeare Globe Trust

1970

Southwark council provides a 1.2 acre site for the project beside the River Thames, opposite St. Paul's Cathedral. The New Globe Theatre will be situated approximately 200 yards from the site of the original Globe theatre

1970

The key architect Theo Crosby, and his firm, Pentagram are appointed to design the replica of the Globe thaetre

1972

The Bear Gardens Museum opens with permanent exhibition of 16th and 17th century theatre history. The Bear Gardens was originally the site of a bear baiting arena which was replaced by the Fortune Theatre built by Edward Alleyn

1982

Professor John Orrell provides new evidence on the shape and dimensions of the Globe by the analysis of a 1647 map of London by Wenceslas Hollar

1985

The "Friends of Shakespeare's Globe" is founded

1987

Excavation of the site begins. The "diaphragm" wall, on the side of the theatre closest to the Thames, is constructed to keep the water out.

1988

The New Globe Theatre project runs short of money. There are doubts whether it will be possible to raise the enormous amount of money required for the replica

1989

The Globe's original foundations were discovered on Bankside, about two hundred metres from the reconstruction site. 95% of the site of the original Globe is covered by a nineteenth century listed building at 1-15 Anchor Terrace, Southwark Bridge Road

1989

Theo Crosby presents an idea called, "direct building." The idea was to build the project phase by phase as money came in.

1989

The Globe Playhouse Trust funds produced ideas to raise money through donations including paving stones engraved with a donator's name, laid on the piazza amongst those sponsored by celebrities such as Sir Laurence Olivier & Sir Anthony Hopkins

1991

Construction work begins on the foundations of the theatre complex and on the Piazza

1993

Construction work begins on the theatre itself

1993

The first performance at the new theatre is made by the Bremer Shakespeare Company after the temporary stage is dedicated by Sir John Gielgud.

1993

18th Dec Sam Wanamaker CBE, dies

1994

12th September Theo Crosby dies

1994

The theatre opened its doors for visitors in August and between 1994 and 1996, over 300,000 visitors come to see the theatre under construction

1995

First International Conference in April the subject is 'Within this Wooden 'O'

1995

16th October. The National Lottery donates 12.4 million pounds to the Globe Trust to fund the completion of Globe

1996

Mark Rylance is appointed artistic director of the New Globe Theatre in January

1996

August 21, the New Shakespeare's Globe is reopened with a short, unofficial season performing The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare

1996

September 10-11 - Second International Conference - "Shakespeare and Tudor Theatrical Traditions"

1996

The Globe was awarded the European Tourism Initiative Golden Star Award in December by the European Federation of Associations of Tourism Journalists

1997

19th - 20th April A team of blacksmiths forge the finishing touches to the ornamental gates facing on to the River Thames

1997

27th May - The first performance of the Preview Season starts. The Opening Season includes Shakespeare's Henry V and The Winter's Tale

1997

April - May: The stage, Frons Scenae and Heavens are built. The roof is thatched and painted

1997

7th June - The Festival of Firsts begins; marking the official opening of the new Globe Theatre

1997

June 12 - Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by HRH Prince Philip, inaugurates the New Globe Theatre in London

1998

June to September the second season, featuring Shakespeare's As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice

1999

Winter-Spring - Work begins on the exhibition in the undercroft and on the Millennium footbridge which now links Bankside to Saint Paul's Cathedral and the City

2003

May 7th - Zoe Wannamaker receives a Southwark Blue Plaque award on behalf of her father

2003

13th June - The Blue Plaque was unveiled outside the New Globe Theatre

The New London Globe Theatre History Timeline

New Globe Theatre HistoryInteresting Facts and information about the New Globe Theatre History. Additional details, facts and information about the Globe Theatre can be accessed via the Globe Theatre Sitemap.